Pubdate: Fri, 31 Mar 2000
Source: The Star (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2000 The Star
Address: 13, Jalan 13/6, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my

MALAYSIAN GETS LIFE FOR GROWING CANNABIS PLANT

Kuala Lumpur, March 31 - A Malaysian court jailed an 18-year-old man for
life and ordered him whipped six times for growing a cannabis plant in his
house, a news report said today.

Mohamed Naziff Ahmad, 18, pleaded guilty to the charge and was given the
maximum sentence by the lower court in southern Johore state.

Malaysia has some of the world's harshest anti-drug laws and imposes the
mandatory death sentence by hanging on anyone found possessing more than 15
grammes of heroin.

Hundreds of people have been hanged for drug offences, including several
foreigners.

The Star daily said Naziff, who is unemployed, was arrested last November 10
after police found the cannabis plant at his house.

The plant was sent for analysis at the Chemistry Department which confirmed
it was cannabis, or ganja, as the Indian hemp plant is known locally.

Malaysian laws forbid growing of plants that can produce drug products, such
as cannabis, and customs officers also seize poppies in bouquets brought in
from abroad by Malaysian tourists.

Naziff, who was unrepresented at his trial, pleaded guilty to the charge
despite being told that a guilty plea carried a life term and whipping, the
daily said.
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